Blackberry plant named ‘DrisBlackEleven’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of blackberry plant named ‘DrisBlackEleven’, particularly characterized by having medium to high vigor, medium-sized, black fruit and medium yield, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Rubus L. subgenus Rubus.

Variety denomination: ‘DrisBlackEleven’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct blackberry cultivar designated ‘DrisBlackEleven’ and botanically known as Rubus L. subgenus Rubus. This new blackberry variety was identified in Santa Cruz County, Calif. in October 2008 and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent blackberry plant ‘BD467.1’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent blackberry plant ‘XX537.1’ (unpatented). The original seedling of the new cultivar was first asexually propagated by tissue culture and root cuttings at a nursery in Santa Cruz County, Calif. in 2008. ‘DrisBlackEleven’ was subsequently asexually propagated by tissue culture and root cuttings and underwent further testing at a nursery in Santa Cruz County, Calif. from 2012 to 2014. The present invention has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for. ‘DrisBlackEleven’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Santa Cruz County, Calif.

-   -   1. Medium to high vigor;     -   2. Medium-sized, black berries; and     -   3. Medium yield.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new blackberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's canes, flowers, fruit, and leaves. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are 2 years old.

FIG. 1 shows a section of a young cane with spines.

FIG. 2 shows the flowers at various stages.

FIG. 3 shows the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following descriptions of ‘DrisBlackEleven’ are based on observations made in Santa Cruz County, Calif. on 2-year old plants. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. ‘DrisBlackEleven’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology is from the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary 2^(nd) edition, by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Rosaceae.         -   Botanical.—Rubus L. subgenus Rubus.         -   Common name.—Blackberry.         -   Variety name.—‘DrisBlackEleven’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary blackberry plant named ‘BD467.1’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Proprietary blackberry plant named ‘XX537.1’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Vigor.—Medium to high.         -   Growth habit.—Upright to semi-upright.         -   Productivity.—Medium to high.         -   Propagation.—Tissue culture and root cuttings.         -   Self-fruitfulness.—Self-fruitful.         -   Time of bud burst.—Late. -   Canes:     -   -   Fruiting lateral length (4^(th) lateral from tip).—Medium;             36.6 cm.         -   Number of fruit per lateral.—12.         -   Fruiting on current year's cane.—Present.         -   Cane internodal distance.—3.2 cm.         -   Number of new canes during flowering.—Medium.         -   New cane strength (observed full-grown shoot after             picking).—Medium to strong.         -   Glaucosity observed on full-grown shoot after picking.—Weak             to medium.         -   Young shoots.—Quantity: Medium. Time of emergence from soil:             Late. Anthocyanin coloration (during rapid growth): Weak;             RHS 183A (Dark greyed-purple). Intensity of green color:             Medium; RHS 144B (Medium yellow-green). Number of glandular             hairs: Medium.         -   Dormant cane.—Length: Short to medium. Diameter (in central             third): Medium. Cross section (from mid cane observed at end             of first growing season): Angular to grooved. Color: RHS             N144C (Medium yellow-green). Number of branches: Medium.             Distribution of branches: On upper half and over whole             length. Anthocyanin coloration: Weak to medium; RHS 59B             (Dark red-purple). Spines: Number of spines: Medium. Size:             Medium. Color: RHS 148B (Medium yellow-green). Density of             spines on central third of cane: Medium. Texture: Medium to             heavy. Attitude of apex in relation to cane: Upwards. -   Leaves:     -   -   Type.—Palmate.         -   Predominant number of leaflets.—Five.         -   Overlapping or relative position of lateral             leaflets.—Overlapping.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Medium; RHS 137B (Medium green). Lower             surface: Medium; RHS 146B (Medium yellow-green).         -   Glossiness of upper side.—Weak to medium.         -   Cross section profile.—Concave (margins rolled inwards).         -   Leaflets.—Shape: Ovate. Margin: Doubly serrate. Depth of             incisions: Medium. Type of incision margin: Bi-serrate.             Apex: Truncate. Base: Obtuse. Rachis length between terminal             leaflet and adjacent lateral leaflet: 39.7 mm.         -   Lateral leaflet (basal pair).—Length: 124.7 mm. Width:             78.8 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.6.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: Medium; 134 3 mm. Width: Medium;             95.7 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.4. Lobing: Absent. Undulation             of margin (rippling of margin): Medium. Blistering between             veins (rugosity): Medium. Shape: Ovate. Tip: Truncate. Base:             Obtuse. Margin: Doubly serrate. Cross-section: V-shaped.         -   Petiole.—Length: 23.5 mm. Diameter: 2.3 mm. Pigmentation:             Upper surface: Medium; RHS 144B (Medium yellow-green). Lower             surface: Light to medium; RHS 144A (Medium yellow-green).         -   Stipule.—Size: Medium. Orientation: Erect. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Time of beginning of flowering on previous year's cane.—N/A.         -   Time of beginning of flowering on current year's cane.—Late.         -   Flower diameter.—Medium to large; 48.92 mm.         -   Flower number (at 3^(rd) node from tip of lateral).—2.         -   Petal.—Length: 22.29 mm. Width: 15.50 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.4. Color: RHS NN155B (White).         -   Pedicel.—Length: 31.71 mm. Diameter: 1.40 mm. -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—Medium; 30.03 mm.         -   Width.—Medium; 22.57 mm.         -   Ratio of length to width.—Small to medium; 1.3.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Glossiness.—Medium to strong.         -   Shape in longitudinal section.—Elliptic.         -   Weight (g/fruit).—7.4 g.         -   Soluble solids (%) (in Brix).—11.4.         -   Titratable acidity: (% as citric acid).—0.77.         -   Seed weight (g/seed).—0.004216.         -   Number of drupelets/fruit.—Few to medium; 96.23.         -   Size of drupelet.—Medium.         -   Firmness.—Medium.         -   Color.—Immature: RHS 145A (Medium yellow-green). Maturing:             RHS 179A (Medium greyed-red). Mature: RHS 203C (Black).         -   Time of ripening on previous year's cane.—N/A.         -   Time of ripening on current year's cane.—Late.         -   Harvest interval.—Mid-August-mid-November.         -   Yield.—Medium. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: Not tested.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisBlackEleven’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘BD467.1’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlackEleven’ has larger fruit and later production than ‘BD467.1’.

‘DrisBlackEleven’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘XX537.1’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlackEleven’ has larger fruit and earlier production that ‘XX537.1’.

‘DrisBlackEleven’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisBlackNine’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 14/121,573) in that ‘DrisBlackEleven’ has palmate leaves with a concave cross section profile, whereas ‘DrisBlackNine’ has intermediate leaves with a flat cross section profile. Additionally, ‘DrisBlackEleven’ has elliptic shaped fruit with medium-sized drupelets, whereas ‘DrisBlackNine’ has oblong shaped fruit with small to medium-sized drupelets.

‘DrisBlackEleven’ differs from commercial variety ‘DrisBlackTen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,611) in that ‘DrisBlackEleven’ has palmate leaves that are overlapping, whereas ‘DrisBlackTen’ has odd-pinnate leaves that are touching. Additionally, ‘DrisBlackEleven’ has elliptic shaped, medium-sized fruit, whereas ‘DrisBlackTen’ has medium ovate shaped, large-sized fruit. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of blackberry plant named ‘DrisBlackEleven’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 